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The Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans presented its Dante and Mazzei awards on May 29 at Galleria Marchetti, 825 W. Erie St., Chicago. Chicago Tribune Editorial Page Editor R. Bruce Dold received the Dante Award. The honor is bestowed each year on a member of the media who lives up to Dante Alighieri’s call to be no timid friend to truth. U.S. Senator Mark Kirk received the Mazzei Award. Named after the Revolutionary War patriot who inspired the phrase “all men are created equal,” the award is presented to a person who shows extraordinary skills in the world of public …

The National Italian American Foundation Board of Directors has voted to create a special one-time NIAF Emanuele and Emilia Inglese Memorial Grant of $100,000 to support the “Save the Saint” restoration project by the International Patrons of Duomo di Milano. The funds will go toward the restoration of the spire dedicated to St. Frances Cabrini, America’s first saint. The Cabrini spire is one of 135 available for restoration through the “Save the Saint” project. International Patrons of Duomo di Milano is a New York-based charitable organization established in 2014 to support the conservation, restoration and protection of the cathedral. www.duomopatrons.org. …

Frank Fagiano, chief of the Elmwood Park Police Department, has been on the job since 1993. He has solved many crimes, and brought countless criminals to justice. But when asked if any of those crimes stand out in his mind, the answer comes easily. Fagiano instantly recalls a particular crime in 1998, when he was a detective. A young woman was working at a Burger King by herself when a man wearing a mask came into the fast food restaurant, robbed it, and then sexually abused her. Fagiano and another detective found her, handcuffed and distraught. “Within five hours of the …

The general public recognizes thoroughbred racing because of the big-name Triple Crown races: the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes. But the Somone brothers, Tony and Michael, instead gravitated to harness racing as teens. They grew up close to Maywood Park, which with its sister track in Crete, Balmoral Park, is a hub of Illinois standardbred harness racing. “When I was about 16, I went to the harness races with my friends,” recalls Michael, assistant vice president at Amalgamated Bank of Chicago. (He’s also been vice president of the Italian-American Labor Council for the past eight years.) “They (his older …

Northfield CPA John L. Ferrentino stepped up to the presidency of the Columbian Club of Chicago at the organization’s annual installation gala. Joining Ferrentino as 2015 officers are First Vice President Jonathan L. Zivojnovic, Second Vice President Anthony L. Ambrose, Third Vice President Jack P. Cannata, Secretary Stuart J. Caravello, Treasurer Vincent A. Maietta and Sergeant-at-Arms Mark M. Corrado. The two-year members of the board of directors are Frank Binetti, Michael D. Russotto, John F. Curry, Daniel A. Corrado and. Frank J. Lucchese. The one-year directors are Ross A. Morizzo, John L. Ambrogi, Victor M. Guerrieri, Christopher M. Dirks and …

Casa Italia has launched a fundraising paver project that promises to place it on a secure financial footing for years to come. The pavers will line the walkway between the Italian Cultural Center and Nonna Graziella in a pair of two-foot-wide paths that will eventually be lined with landscaping and benches. With plenty of parking on the either end of the walkway, the project will be readily accessible to the public, and at a maximum distance of only two feet, each paver will be easily located and viewed. The cost is $150 for a 4-inch-by-8-inch paver and $300 for an …

Richard and Debra Kopacz of Countryside are pleased to announce the wedding of their daughter Kelly to Giuliano Cerami. Giuliano is the son of Giuseppe and Giuseppina Cerami of Chicago. The bride is employed as an administrative assistant at a law firm in Chicago. A passionate artist, she is spearheading the creation of an Art League at Casa Italia in Stone Park. The groom is working as a head receiver for a grocery chain. The two were wed this May at St. Cletus Parish in LaGrange.  

  The Italian American Political Coalition honored a trio of titans at its March 20 Heritage Celebration at Diplomat West Banquets in Elmhurst. Retired Judge Bruno Tassone received the Lifetime Achievement Award, Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans Executive Director JoAnn Serpico earned the William Paca Award and the Public Service Award was given to Hawthorn Woods Mayor Joe Mancino. The annual event honors Italian Americans who are active in the political and governmental arenas. Pictured (from left) are IAPC Rules Chairman Rich Pellegrino, IAPC President and Cook County Commissioner Peter Silvestri, Serpico, Mancino and Tassone.  

The Order Sons of Italy’s Grand Lodge of Illinois and Wisconsin hosted its 13th annual Leonardo da Vinci Award of Excellence Gala on May 4 at BeauJolie Banquets in Schiller Park. Sharing the spotlight were Lo Duca Brothers Inc., Michael A. Rizzo Insurance Agency and Giuffre Brothers Cranes Inc. (Business of Distinction.); Stan J. Mill and Sebastian Busalacchi (Community Leadership); Paul Loparco (Education); Dom & Phil De Marinis Pizza (Entrepreneur); Michael Fricilone and Sam S. Pulia (Government); Judge Luciano Panici (Jurisprudence); and Drs. Piero Antuono, Mary C. Boyle, Victor G. Cimino, John M. Santaniello and Louis B. Scannicchio (Medicine). (708-403-7822)

  State Rep. Anthony DeLuca convened with spiritual leaders from across the district at his 14th annual clergy breakfast. DeLuca presented his agenda for the upcoming legislative session at the breakfast, answered questions and received comments from the attendees regarding the funding of local government, proposed budget cuts and education. “We are fortunate to have so many members of the clergy participate, listen to our concerns and provide sound advice,” DeLuca said. “I always look forward to hearing about all they are doing to help our friends and neighbors.”